Vineman Aquabike
Windsor, CA
Official Website : http://www.vineman.com/aquabike.htm
Date : July 31, 2010
Race Type : Triathlon and Multisport
Race Distance : 1.2 or 2.4 mile swim and 56 or 112 mile bike
Race Description: In 2005 USA Triathlon offered a pilot program called the AquaBike. Events which are participating in the AquaBike program will give athletes the opportunity to compete in a category where they will complete the swim and bike portions of the race, while omitting the run leg of the race. each year, in association with the Full Vineman, we offer AquaBike categories for both the Full Vineman and the Vineman Ironman 70.3 distances.
2 Reviews for Vineman Aquabike
I was originally going to do Barb's Half but sustained a hamstring injury so I was unable to run. A friend/coach suggested I try the Full AquaBike. This would be the first time I had done either of these events at these distances...a good challenge and one that would refocus my disappointment at not being able to do Barb's with the rest of the women I train with. I am so happy I did this. The swim is in the Russian River. The river is dammed so there really is very little current. The water temperature is just barely wetsuit legal and at time the water level gets pretty shallow (enough that some folks walk parts of it) but overall the swim is lovely and the bike is beautifully scenic. The second loop of the Full Aquabike is somewhat lonely since the half AquaBikers and Barb's racers are mostly finished by then, so you have to play some mental games but that is all part of the experience. There is one challenging hill (Chalk Hill) and on the Full AquaBike you do this hill twice at about mile 50 and 105 but there are lots of spectators to cheer you on and once at the top, there is a wonderful downhill reward!
Weather can play a significant role in who is able to finish this race. This year the temperatures were cool in the morning with fog which made for a great first portion of the race. The daytime temps stayed in the 80's with some winds so it was cooler than usual but there were the headwinds to deal with. Temps last year were in the upper 90's which can really be quite stressful so be prepared if you decide to do this race!!!
The aid stations are very well organized and staffed. My only complaint is that the AquaBike finish is at the bike dismount which is not where the spectators are expecting you to finish so it is easy for your friends and family to miss your finish. Otherwise, great race and I would definitely do it again!
A good friend of mine was competing in the Full Iron-distance Vineman event, I figured since I'd be at the race cheering him on I should sign up to compete and make the most of the day. I figured a quick little Iron-distance (2.4 mi swim & 112 mi. bike) couldn't hurt that much. Besides I'd finished an full Ironman just 3 months earlier - I'm in prime condition.
The event, the organization, the location, the scenery was awesome, but on that day my body was not so awesome. At mile 56 of the bike portion I got that feeling in my legs, that every athlete has experienced at some point in there career, where I thought to myself I should have trained this is really gonna hurt. 100 degree heat mixed with some rolling hills was not what my body was up for that day. In all I'm glad I finished, I'm sure I'll be back, hopefully wiser than the first time.
As for who should sign up for this race - anyone should try it. It's easy enough (just don't under estimate how long a 112 miles is) for newbies, and competitive enough for the more seasoned triathlete. Plus there's a great after race BBQ. I missed most of the BBQ tent because lying on a cot in the med-tent sucking on salt tablets sounded good.